Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in
restaurants, today commented on remarks in the media concerning GE
Capital and the reported pullback it is making in financing for
franchisees. Sonic clarified that during the past year GE Capital
provided less than 10% of the lending to its franchisees. GE is just one
of many lenders who finance Sonic franchisees and, in fact, many
franchisees maintain access to other diversified sources of financing.
Furthermore, Sonic has not received any notification from GE Capital,
either directly or indirectly, that it will stop financing new loans to
Sonic franchisees.
About Sonic
Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root
beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., called Top Hat Drive-In, and then
changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic
name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Okla. Sonic has more than
3,400 drive-ins coast to coast, where more than a million customers eat
every day. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries,
visit Sonic at www.sonicdrivein.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements
reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating
performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking
statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in,
or underlying, these forward-looking statements are detailed in the
company's annual and quarterly report filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly
release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events
or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SONC-G